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#1714127
Navy_JD
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Question about shipping snakes...HELP! 
Boy did I get a rude awakening at the local Kinko’s/FedEx counter. Packed up my Ball python to ship up north, printed out the shipping label and took it to the drop off. Dumb arse at the counter picks it up, twirls it around (it was a LLL Reptile box clearly marked This Freaking End Up). I told the brother not to do that as my snake will get sick. He let out a cry somewhere between a whimper and a scream and asked me if I was playing with him. I got him straight that it was a snake and he runs off to call HQ and find out if I could ship it. Turns out I can’t, unless I am a dealer. Sooo, now I have to switch boxes and label it LIVE PLANTS and sneak it through another drop point.
The question is- how do I ship live snakes (not hots)?? I sure as hell don’t want to go through Delta Dash. Anyone else done it legally (or according to shippers rules)?? That would suck if I had to fake it every time. Oh, and FedEx WILL open the package if they feel like it. My venomous dealer in Texas had it happen to him, while he was standing there.
Thanks JD
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04/23/08 09:34pm
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#1714703
BooBoo
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Message To: Navy_JD In reference to Message Id: 1714127
Question about shipping snakes...HELP!
I got the same response from FEDEX once. They freaked!
I have all the proper packing items needed to ship smaller snakes, so I packed up another box and took it to UPS. They never questioned the "live shipment" and "fragile" on the box. Guess I got lucky. Btw, the snake made it from Arkansas to New York overnight and on time and is doing great!
 Good Luck
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04/24/08 12:49pm
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#1714911
Hummi
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Message To: BooBoo In reference to Message Id: 1714703
Question about shipping snakes...HELP!
Legally, you have 2 options. Airlines or go through the trouble of becoming FedEx certified. Getting certified through FedEx takes time and a lot of trouble but if you ship frequently, it would be worth it. All ground shippers claim they do not ship any live animals, but I have gotten live shipments through all of them that were clearly marked. Some people at the counter will accept them with no problems, but some will not. You can do what most do and just mark the box fragile or perishable, but if you get caught they will give you a hard time. I used DHL many, many years ago and they opened the box and called me to come get my contents at the main terminal over an hour away, and they would be closing within the hour, not to mention I was at work. Luckily I found someone who got there just in time before they turned my snakes over to animal control. I had a friend send an alligator through UPS and they found out and called animal control. He had to convince animal control to let him have it back. The only thing I have found that can be shipped legally is lizards and torts through USPS, but they have to call ahead and make sure it can be delivered overnight.
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04/24/08 04:18pm
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